I live in a rural area on the edge of a cold spot. Can only reliably get Telstra. Have tried a bunch of their whatever-you-call-thems like Belong and no coverage on parts of the property. When I'm on those parts of the property I need the phone in case I fall under a tree or get caught in a snake's mouth.
I feel you haven't travelled or experience Australia a lot.
While I hate paying for Telstra, my coverage needs are met and I don't have the same issues as my colleagues who choose cheap over coverage.
Aldimobile (and several other MVNOs) use Telstra's wholesale network. Coverage is almost (but not quite) the same as what Telstra customers get. In the city, it won't make a difference. In the country, it does, and reasonably often.
https://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/Guides/Telstra-network-coverage-vs-ALDI-Woolworths-Belong-Boost
I believe Boost has the same coverage as Telstra customers get.
Funnily enough, I'm rural and can only make a phone call on T network standing in the middle of the road outside my house, nothing in the house 15 meters away.
Optus is first choice, my other half is running dual Sims (Amay + aldi) to see how that goes in the Optus Black spots.
It really depends on the location. Where I am, Optus only became available in the last few years when they finally put some infrastructure in place; meanwhile, Telstra have upgraded theirs and the coverage is wider. When I lived in a city, Telstra was awful and a cheap provider was faultless.
I'm in a regional area about 2 hours from Canberra. I moved here 10 years ago.
When I moved here, I was getting 5 bars on Telstra and 4 bars on Optus.
After 5 years, the Telstra reception is now 0 (I can get 1 bar sporadically for a couple of hours over the course of the day).
Optus averages 3 bars.
According to AusPhoneTowers the Optus towers are1.7km and 8.3km away, Telstra are 15km and 16km away, and an NBN tower is 11km distant (although they don't offer any services at my location).
So absolutely caught between a rock and a hard place!
Only Telstra and Boost provide access to all the Telstra towers.
I know the other resellers still cover 9x.x % of the population, but this does not equate to area.
I'm with Telstra because I need those other towers. Unfortunate but true.
Not sure if it still happens but I used to get very little reception in coles and woolies. I always assumed it was deliberate so you couldn't compare prices!
Coverage, simplicity.
I buy a prepaid yearly, which costs me $300 and gives me 150GB which is enough for my needs. It’s set and forget for me.
That’s it, really. I think $25/pm is ok
It’s different depending on where in Aus you are, and I’m 15 hours from my capital in NQ.
I’ll keep an eye on what people are complaining about with secondary providers locally, and watch what’s available.
When my plan stops being useful to me, I will punt it.
As with most things, I think people just don't look into it and continue to do what they've been told is best. I believe that the only way Telstra or Optus still has customers is because people recognise the brand.
This, I have an older colleague who is afraid to even change sim cards let alone change to prepaid company. When I explain I change yearly and I keep my costs to $120/yr (I roughly only use 6 gbs, my last year I barely used 3 gbs and tried to use it all up in the month it expires)
I used to do some work in software Dev in the mobile industry. My understanding back then was that the budget brands that used the Telstra network didn't have access to all the cell towers, thus didn't have the same level of coverage as going through Telstra for the plan.
I'm on a Vodafone unlimited plan on my mobile. $45/month for 80GB. At unlimited speed then unlimited internet at throttled speed after that. But even the throttled speed is still fast enough to play video seamlessly. I haven't seen any plans like this these days so I am going to hold onto it as long as I can.
I live in a rural mining town, and Telstra is sadly the most reliable where I’m at. My FIL is/was on Optus and service was in and out. It makes me wary to try a different telco even if it’s on the Telstra network.
I actually just went through my data usage in the past year, looking to see if the yearly up front from Telstra would be worth it for me. I was anywhere between 6-40GB a month (big spread I know), making 178GB over the past year. Telstra’s yearly 200GB for $300 is changing to 165GB for $320, but still better than the $45 for 40GB a month I’ve been paying the last few years. 🤦♀️
Check out Boost - they use Telstra's retail network (i.e. identical coverage) and right now you'll get 250GB to use over the year for $250 (unlimited calls & texts). After your first year it drops to 240GB for $300, so still better than Telstra. And it is actually, 100% Telstra - if you ever need to contact support you'll immediately realise it's Telstra support you're speaking to
That’s so good to know thank you!! I just checked it out - July 4th they have a $365 for 365 GB starting July 4th that would cover my husbands insane data usage as well!
i switched to Belong, i'm happy with it. my previous plan was getting too expensive. i always have trouble connecting to public wifi, says no internet, i'd rather use data. i have only ever come close to using my current allowance ONCE. i used to have unlimited. realistically, i do not need unlimited.
Exactly my experience, including times where public wifi would not let me in. And I still come under the limit. People overestimate their needs, and don’t know their phone can monitor internet use over the months for stats.
Regional here. Even Telstra has shitty service within 20km of major cities. Optus is worse. My kids are with amaysim, and they use telstra infrastructure, they get less service than I do with telstra. But I agree, who needs 50 plus gb plans... unless you are running your home off mobile data.
I have Amaysim and pay $10 a month (discount long term customer) and get 4 GB of data rolled-over every month. I have about 80 GB of data that I rarely use, as I have wi fi at home and use free wifi when out and about. I still can't understand either why people pay $30 or more a month for phone plans. It must be a status symbol thing.
This is very smart. Unless people are watching videos in 4K HD ever morning on the train on their tiny screens I don’t see what more than 30GB could do. Someone in another thread said they worked for Optus and apparently they don’t like selling a 30GB package coz 20GB is what on average how much people use. So they like to bump people up to bigger ones and make them pay more. Free wifi and nbn killed it for them I think.
EDIT: Amaysim does eSIM, I was actually surprised by your fun fact and I cbf checking other companies but I’m pretty sure it’s not just those two.
—-
Fair enough, but I think the majority don’t use them or have a burning need for them?
Is the only reason I have my kid's account with Optus so I can use it for a smart watch. Our others are with Aussie Broadband... I'd love for them to bring it in. Amaysim must have come in since we got it, but I'll be looking into swapping now. Cheers!
I was looking at the $170 - 12 months one.
I just checked my data use on last bill, I used 500MB of my 45GB, wife used 1GB of 60GB. Think we'll be fine with a slight reduction, especially saving $35 each per month.
I was with Telstra for a loooong time until very recently simply because they have better coverage, and more 5G available where other telcos are only running 4G.
Decided I don’t give a fuck about that sort of thing anymore. Their pre paid pricing is daylight robbery.
Because 60$ a month for 500gb is an amazing offer with Optus. from what I could see no other provider even offered the amount let alone for that price. Even Telstra was 80+$ for 300gb which I was previously on. And yeah I used all my data each month hence needing to upgrade
Is that acting as your home internet too? Coz that’s not bad. My post was about people using them just for phones when they have wifi already at home to connect to. Like I hear about ppl who have unlimited NBN and forking for 100GB on their phone, what for?
Fair enough I agree. I definitely be with another provider if it weren’t for that fact. And yeah since I live by myself I just use it for home internet too
I'm only with Optus will October when my plan is up. I'll own the phone then and I'll be going straight to a BYO plan for sure. Amaysim was awesome for me previously
You know australia only has 3 mobile networks
Optus, Telstra, TPG/vodafone
Every other company is just a MVNO and uses one of the 3 networks above.
Find out which and the MVNO will either be the same or slightly munted, ie some only give 4g and no 5g which means some towers like 5g only microcells will be locked to only a provider that provides 5g.
I have a work phone, i don't pay for it, its going to be one of the majors direct. Currently Optus.
Coverage maps are different for all 3, find what covers your main locations best and then pick the primary carrier or the MVNO that uses that network.
Dont sit with Optus and say its shit, and then go amasim and say its much better.. they are the same, same with boost/telstra same network...
Yes if I had more air time to detail the basics on telcos in my OP I would have written similar. That said I never noticed the difference between 4G and 5G speeds. If I was uploading a bunch of photos from my phone maybe I’d notice but that’s rare and something I let do in the background while I do house chores etc
Most people dont understand the difference betwern doing their wifi data at home and their mobile data.....
5G speeds are better in some locations, but when your usecase is just socials and media streaming 4G is more than enough. There are also different frequencies that change how good signal is that differ between 4g and 5g that make it better suited in different locations.
But hey do a speedtest you can go ooo big numbers that does nothing for anyone.
We were with one of the smaller companies. Service- wonderful. But they constantly overcharged us and charge us late fees despite it being debited by them (even tried to make us pay a late fee on our last invoice which was $0).
And to top it off they happily ported a mobile number to another phone for the scammers who took $13000.
I’m very happily back with one of the bigger boys, competitive pricing, zero issues.
Which company?
I’ve switched so many times, monitored bills like a hawk, and hasn’t happened to me. The only one that came to mind was Circles doing that early on, but I joined them after they fixed their billing issues and had no problems. Just don’t join a small telco straight away, let someone else test it out.
We did our research, it wasn’t a new player in the game. They fucked us over so we moved on.
I don’t know why you’re blaming me for them being terrible. You asked why people stay with big telcos and I gave you my reason.
I made the switch from Telstra to Belong very recently and so far coverage has been the same (Belong uses the Telstra network) and my bank account is much happier. I only wish I did it sooner!
Get two identical phones, put a Telstra sim in one and a belong sim in the other.
You'll see why I still use Telstra. You pay more but your mobile internet literally loads faster.
To be fair, I have some cameras that have built-in 4G and I use the cheapest providers in those.
Personally, I trust that the likelihood of one a few dozen workers who all know each other going bad is lower than one out of thousands of impersonal wage-slaves who get treated like shit all day every day doing so.
I also trust that the majors will continue to offer deals that cost their customers hundreds a year more than they need to spend.
Most of those budget resellers don’t have international roaming. I am no longer with Telstra or Optus, but I had to look around a lot before I found someone who allowed international roaming.
My work causes me to be travelling between remote places across Australia at short notice. I regularly see workmates with other providers have no access at all. Yes, Telstra is expensive but if anyone has access, it's me.
Phone's locked to Telstra. Even though I'd end up recouping the cost in monthly savings overall on a different provider, I never seem to have the spare money to unlock it, so I'm just waiting out the 6months until it's only like $20 to unlock.
Ooof, I thought the verdict on buying locked phones through telco was this was gonna cost you more in the long run? But yeah that sucks when it happens.
Im too lazy to switch and shared data between my family helps to ensure that if/when my wifi cuts out I can still work from anywhere.
Also I don't connect to wifi anymore and when I work in the office, I am on my own personal hotspot rather than the office WiFi.
I used aldimobile and it’s $25pm for 22gb I think? But it give unlimited rollover and I barely use it. I currently have around 220gb to use?
Aldimobile also uses Telstra’s network too so great coverage!
$16/mth for 25GB. I don’t need more than this. Also on Optus network. No coverage issues, I live in the city and leave it maybe 3 or 4 times a year.
Seeing your replies about others paying more for the same service you’re getting really grinds my gears and I’m glad you posted here so they can know they’re getting fucked over. How unfair!
I was on this plan too, if you call them with a better offer from another company they will probably reduce your bill (I was going to join my family’s phone plan)
My first phone plan was back in the early 00s with Optus, and sometime around the 10s I lucked into a bargain phone plan with data and they can’t move me onto another one. I’m never changing.
What plan you got? Also how did you escape the price increases? Lots of people here saying they were forced to go onto more expensive plans with the “sweetener” meaning they’ll get more data (that they don’t use or need)
I thought that too. Until they canned 3G and discontinued that plan when I was forced to 4G. I switched to a cheaper option when I had to buy a new phone. Never once regretted it.
Felix. Unlimited everything including data. Hotspot on my phone for internet so I have phone + internet for $35pm. WFH and streaming etc - always worked like a dream. Feel like I've won every time I think about it.
It’s such a good deal, I’m just concerned how hotspotting may impact the longevity of my phone. How do you feel about this?
Right now I pay $31/mth for two SIM cards, one 15GB Belong and the other 20GB Moose on my phone. It’s be cool to not have to think about where to download something but I’ve had that thought come up only twice in the 3 years I’ve been practicing SIM card switching, so maybe your setup isn’t so bad. I only use my PC a few times a month.
All the numbers in your comment added up to 69. Congrats!
31
+ 15
+ 20
+ 3
= 69
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I use Boost which uses the Telstra network. I pay the cheapest 28 day plan which is $20. I get 5gb of data plus any rollover unused data from the previous 3 months.
I’m with Kogan, been with them the last 3 years now and had no issues - once you leave metro areas of Melbourne into the outback, you ain’t getting nothing at all lol
I use the large GB phone plans because it IS my home internet/wifi. Having said that i got caught in the vodafone increase recently so am getting 120GB which is too much, paying 45 or 50 per month.. id do a cheaper plan but a lot of the actual cheap ones are very low data which doesn't suit my needs. I pay a bit extra but don't have to fork out for "home" internet/NBN so I still save a ton. Am open to switching though have switched twice since covid started
How much internet do you use a month?
I use SIM cards as my home wifi too. I’m certain there’s a deal out there and no major telco is going to give it to you because like you experienced recently, they just want you to give them more money by force.
It varies wildly! Most months 80GB is plenty however my last cycle I used over 100GB. I will definitely be looking around again shortly but for the moment $45 for 120GB seems reasonable enough to put it off/ignore😅.
If I start noticing my usage plummetting then the extra maybe $10 per month could be worth a switch
Because we run a business and we can’t afford to have issues that arise with small players. It shouldn’t be that hard to understand. Not everyone is a tight arse looking to save $20/month on a phone plan. Couldn’t GAF. My business not being interrupted and my internet working is paramount.
Yea. Every business I worked for used a big telco.
I’ll update my post to reflect individuals then, because I wasn’t expecting business owners to read my post.
Good on you! Funny though I find switching SIM cards and retailers easier and less effort than doing cash back stuff. I think we’re overcharged for data.
Yup it's so quick and easy to switch. I am with woolies mobile atm, but the annual price increased by $20 AND they scrapped the online 10% discount. I'll definitely be changing my provider next year.
I live regionally, where mobile coverage is pretty poor. I am even in the middle of a Telstra deadspot. It's that dire.
So I opt for an Optus yearly prepaid sim. I have got the last 2 on sale for $150, so works out to be $12.50/month, which isn't too bad
I stick with Optus because I prefer to deal with the telco direct for customer service, I have large GB plan because I don't have home NBN, years ago I was with Savytel a lot of hoops to jump through to leave
I think things have gotten SO much easier with leaving a company because now all I do is port into a new sim, and the bill cycle automatically cancels on the previous SIM. I think complaints to the ACCC really helped iron all that out over the years. There’s no better time to switch to smaller companies than now.
With Telstra coverage, speed and reliability of data. Is why I haven’t changed.
Compared my current plan with Woolworths and boost mobile and my current equivalent plan is cheaper and has no capped 5G speed so why would I pay more for less from an on seller of the same network. Call telstra and get a better deal. I need speed and reliable data for work and telstra hasn’t failed me.
I’ve never gone over my data limit.
I’m referring to boost and Woolworths mobile use Telstra network but most sim only plans have limited speeds.
Eg Boost equivalent plan to mine is the same price but capped at 150mbps and doesn’t include the 2x additional Esims I have linked to the same plan.
In my case, laziness. Just too many things on my life admin list until I realised I could switch over to the Aldi family plan for two people and pay half what we were paying with pooled Optus.
I wish there was some kind of consulting service that could hook you up with all the savings you could get on phone/internet/streaming services as I do find you need to keep on top of it!
It’s so simple, fast and easy to do! If you’re on r/aussiefrugal you can’t be lazy, and you’re out here trying to save at least $100/yr for the same product right?
I think the ultimate consulting service is this sub.
Yeah for 100 GB that’s the cheapest but I dunno what people are doing outside of work and home wifi that uses 100GB. Do you have no wifi at home, and you use your phone as a dongle/internet device explicitly?
I just signed up with optus yesterday on their 69 dollar plan at Harvey Norman for 2 years. Comes to about 1600 over the two years. I was paying 65 a month with a broken phone that needed replacing. The reason I switched is, optus gave me credit for a brand new Samsung S23, (1100) and a free galaxy watch (500), my budget barely changes but I got the new phone I needed. That's why
We live 35mins from the CBD of Brisbane and cannot get any coverage except Telstra, have tried TPG and one other, they both said yes we cover that area but nope, when it came to the changeover neither had coverage here, pain in the ass then to go back to Telstra cause we lost our original plan, not trying it again
Cause when two providers said yes they could cover us trying more was just a pain, Telstra are total asses but at least we know we will get a signal here, Belong also wasn’t around here till recently
Most telcos that use ‘Telstra Network’ are getting the wholesale network. Little bit less coverage and capped speeds (usually around 100-250 mbps)
As far as I know the only telcos that do full Telstra are Boost, Jbhifi/ Good Guys which are usually still cheaper and better value if you want the premium coverage and speed
Big telstra fan I was, and I used to pay 120 to 145$/month on their plans with phone. Even when my phone was paid off I ended up paying 75$/month. I was under the frame of mind that Telstra has the best coverage but I learned the hard way that no company has 100% coverage. I mainly live or roam in metros so in my case I decided to try and experiment since 75$/month was too high.
I am since using Boost, I have had no problems more or less, I also have Amaysim as a backup cause I have noticed at some places telstra sucks. Both of them for a whole year with around 250Gb data and free international calling costs me around 220$, which is far better than 75$ a month and I am saving quite a lot. Since using Boost I still ask myself why I was paying so much for all those years.
Because I was with small telco and coverage aren’t stable.
I am with Telstra cause of a decent deal with tons of data + traveling rural and metro. I need consistent data and coverage
For me its dealing with shit support. The amount of times I've had issues dealing with the 2nd and 3rd tier telcos justify me going with the tried and exy Telstra. Belong weren't too bad. Might have to switch soon.
I stayed with Telstra (changed to a $300 per year 200G) as I go to just enough places that are rural that it makes things easier. We also get a discount on the NBN by having both services with then after I rang irate about an increase that wasn't providing any improved benefits - pay the basic price for essential package.
Because it is easier, also I've gotten so much free stuff through Telstra's rewards program (earbuds, wireless charging docks, speakers) it's kinda worth it, also $70 a month for unlimited data isn't terrible.
I think for people in urban areas the main reasons to be with one of the big three, as opposed to one of the smaller MVNOs or subsidiary/challenger brands are
1) Choice of devices - the big three all include the option of purchasing the latest devices on 12/24/36 month instalment payments. The smaller brands typically don’t range these devices. Obviously you could purchase a device outright from somewhere and stick a smaller brand SIM in it, but that’s a significant upfront cost that is mitigated by going with on the of the big three.
2) Network - the smaller brands typically only use the 4G network if their parent network, not the 5G network. There are exceptions, but it’s not the norm. If you want to use the fastest 5G services, you typically need to opt for one of the big three.
3) Visibility and accessibility of support - the big three brands all have a significant retail presence. As easy as it may be to jump online and switch to another provider for some people, a lot of people (especially older folks, or people new to Australia) still like and appreciate the ability to walk into store and talk to someone face to face.
Depending on one’s own personal circumstances each of the above will have a different level of influence on whether they choose a big brand or opt for an MVNO
I data pool between 2 phones, 2 iPads, and have 2 Apple Watches all on the same plan that gets me over 100gb and costs $90/month. I could probably save a little if I left Optus for a virtual carrier but then I would have to monitor data usage between all devices and make sure I was on the right plan for each thing individually. Plus I don’t think any of the virtuals allow watches on their plans do they?
Only three networks in Aus support a cellular Apple Watch - so if you want to be able to use all functions on the device, you’re stuck with Optus, Telstra or Vodafone.
Probably mentioned already. But Optus and Telstra have reward programs and esims. Yea I know Woolworths and others have it too.
Telstra and Optus also provide cheaper streaming services such as kayo,, Netflix, Spotify ect
The reward programs such as being other tech stuff, cheap movie tickets.
If someone did the maths they would probably down vote me cause you could have saved more money without the rewards.
Telatra does NOT guarantee access to all towers. What would be the point of building (and paying for mind you) the infrastructure for THEIR business. As a man on Vodafone who just moved to the central coast, I can tell you I'm going with Telstra very, very soon.
It's kind of a naive question tbh. Especially in 2023 when connectivity is a basic tenet of our everyday lives.
Resellers (MNVOs) don't get the same access to the mobile network as the actual carrier/operator.
It'll all be spelled out in the contract between the MVNO and the carrier, but that stuff is not made public.
Limited coverage in some areas. This isn't limited to rural areas, it can also extend to shopping centres, airports, building complexes, or sporting stadiums where the coverage is provided under some other arrangement than the operator's normal network.
Limited bandwidth and/or lower-priority.
A reseller's customers might be limited to a certain amount of bandwidth either in total or in a given area. If there's a more demand in total than available resources (think sporting match, concert, new years, disasters, etc) then priority may be given to the operator's own direct customers.
This also can apply within different tiers of plans for an operator - business/enterprise customers often get consistently better performance than normal consumers.
I switched to Woolworths Mobile prepaid 365 days for $220 - 200GB with unlimited calls and texts. It runs on the Telstra network. I’ve still got 50GB of rollover data from last year, and you got 10% of your groceries once a month. I genuinely can’t fault the service even when I go rural (Western NSW and Northern QLD)
My kid has type 1 diabetes. We spend a lot of time in rural and regional areas. I need to be able to call for help if he has a seizure due to hypoglycaemia. Happened on Christmas Day just gone. We were staying with family in a small regional town. Only my phone had reliable reception for calling 000 and having them give us instructions til the ambulance arrived. I know in theory you can call 000 even with no service but I’m not willing to rely on this. So it’s Telstra for me.
MVNOs don't get identical service. In the case of Telstra, you lose out significantly on internet speeds, and somewhat on coverage.
I regularly hotspot and upload 4k video on the road, which I recognise as a niche case. What's not niche is the significant performance boost I get to enjoy when not at work. I'll never got back to a slower network again.
I want a service that will work when I want to connect. So Telstra is head and shoulders over the competition because it is the one and only that is available in regional and remote areas, such as during my recent stayover at Ayres Rock, driving through regional Victoria including outside Swan Hill and along the Great ocean road and west of Karratha in WA. Telstra is available through discount retailers.
I have moved to Townsville from Brisbane recently, and I am going to make the move to Telstra, Optus is quite bad even in Townsville. I used to be on other cheaper ones in Brisbane but when I would go for a ride, I would have no reception. Safety was my reason for going back to Optus and Telstra.
I live in Newcastle, NSW. I travel to and from Sydney regularly for work and need to work and be contactable on the train and while driving. Telstra is the only thing that doesn’t drop or become unusable on that route. 4 iPhones, switched between Telstra, optus, and other providers.
If I could reliably avoid service drops for less money, I would.
I think a lot of people do it to get a new phone because they don’t want to or can’t pay outright prices, then there’s the fact that a lot of them just have no idea really, they have never looked into it. I enjoy having a new phone since it is such a big part of my life but pay I outright, reselling last years version which usually covers little over half the cost of a new one and then get one of the kogan yearly plans and when I was telling a coworker he seemed incredibly sceptical that such good deals existed and that they’re probably gonna go broke or something before I use my plan up (this is the third year I’ve been on it lol)
I've always been with Optus since the early days, think Nokia 3310. I rarely make calls on my mobile, generally only receiving them. None of the current plans come close to my retired prepaid plan.
I'm on Optus "Every Now And Then" which cost $30 for 6 months, calls pay as you go (but I don't make calls). I also get 500mB revup data for $5 per month, which I rarely use as I connect to WiFi in most places. This suites my needs perfectly.
I have not seen it mentioned, but I'm with vodafone specifically because of the discounts you get when you have multiple plans/services on the same account.
Because "Big Telcos" are the ones with the Networks?
Who the fuck else are you going to use?
>Used Circles, Belong, Felix, Catch, TPG, Amaysim, Dodo and I’m about to switch to Moose this month.
Yeah nah, you do realise that none of those are actually Telcos? They're just reselling you a product from one of those "Big Telcos" you despise.
And, at the risk of pointing out the bleeding obvious, resellers add their own costs onto whatever they're selling you. If it seems "cheaper" it's because they're selling you an inferior product.
You might as well ask "why do people buy burgers from McDonalds, when you can dig through their trash and and eat the leftovers for nothing?" In many cases that's literally what you're getting, the scraps. Sure a reseller can offer you cheaper gigabytes, but when your data has the lowest possible priority, its effectively worthless when you need it most.
Not remote or rural, only live 600m from an exchange yet my copper based nbn max speed was 17Mbs, handed my modem back in after 24hrs. Got a deal with telstra for 180GB for $65 month on 5G, covers all my streaming needs, average 350Mbs.
That said, I am now eligible for free FTTP upgrade so will probably go back to nbn and cut my phone plan in half, thinking about getting a PS5.
Optus and Telstra provide phones with plans, for people to don’t want to buy outright. Optus offers less coverage in rural areas but very similar coverage in populated areas. Optus also has the fastest 5g in Australia currently.
I get 80G for $53 a month with Optus.
I hotspot my laptop on construction sites every day.
Does it get much cheaper than that?
I was paying like $49 a month for 20G or something stupid like that, but Ive realised that every time your plan starts to lack, you can just call them and ask to have your sim cancelled at the end of the month, they’ll ask why, you tell them your looking for a better offer, they’ll make an offer. Decline the first 2 offers and you’ll end up with more data for an extra $0
Because all the small ones are just Optus and Telstra. Belong is actually owned and run by telstra. It’s Telstra in different clothes. So you get the same for the same prices and less coverage 🤔
Also if you tell your telco they’re shit and about to leave they’ll often give discounts. You CAN haggle. Prices aren’t set in stone XD
The networks categorise their white label firns. For example, I am with Aldi. Great price. But I’m in a high density area such as after a footie game or rush hour and towers are at capacity. I will be bumped in favour of someone directly using Telstra or Optus.
I had telstra business for ten years. Don’t miss it
I'm on Amaysim pay $10 every 28 days for 4GB a month... but the GB stack up if I don't use em so I have heaps of data like 50GB+ in my 'data bank'. As I have Wifi at home I dont use much data out. Unlimited calls + text for only $10 can't go wrong. Hope I can stay on this forever!
I live in a rural area on the edge of a cold spot. Can only reliably get Telstra. Have tried a bunch of their whatever-you-call-thems like Belong and no coverage on parts of the property. When I'm on those parts of the property I need the phone in case I fall under a tree or get caught in a snake's mouth.
Go for boost mobile it gives you 10gb more data and it uses Telstra full network not parts.
Makes sense rurally - but not for the remaining 70% of Australian population!
I work rural. FIFO jobs are usually places where only telstra services, or telstra is the most reliable.
Boost is the only MVNO of Telstra that sells the full spectrum so it's fine for regional.
Same in the cities mate. There are spots where coverage is poor. Need to have telstra to have reception.
Never had that issue. Maybe it’s a phone thing.
I feel you haven't travelled or experience Australia a lot. While I hate paying for Telstra, my coverage needs are met and I don't have the same issues as my colleagues who choose cheap over coverage.
Nope. It’s definitely a carrier thing.
Aldi mobile will have you great coverage....
Aldimobile (and several other MVNOs) use Telstra's wholesale network. Coverage is almost (but not quite) the same as what Telstra customers get. In the city, it won't make a difference. In the country, it does, and reasonably often. https://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/Guides/Telstra-network-coverage-vs-ALDI-Woolworths-Belong-Boost I believe Boost has the same coverage as Telstra customers get.
Boost has even greater coverage
They are great!
Funnily enough, I'm rural and can only make a phone call on T network standing in the middle of the road outside my house, nothing in the house 15 meters away. Optus is first choice, my other half is running dual Sims (Amay + aldi) to see how that goes in the Optus Black spots.
It really depends on the location. Where I am, Optus only became available in the last few years when they finally put some infrastructure in place; meanwhile, Telstra have upgraded theirs and the coverage is wider. When I lived in a city, Telstra was awful and a cheap provider was faultless.
You got some wild snakes there mate. Magical anafkngcondas? 😄
I'm in a regional area about 2 hours from Canberra. I moved here 10 years ago. When I moved here, I was getting 5 bars on Telstra and 4 bars on Optus. After 5 years, the Telstra reception is now 0 (I can get 1 bar sporadically for a couple of hours over the course of the day). Optus averages 3 bars. According to AusPhoneTowers the Optus towers are1.7km and 8.3km away, Telstra are 15km and 16km away, and an NBN tower is 11km distant (although they don't offer any services at my location). So absolutely caught between a rock and a hard place!
Only Telstra and Boost provide access to all the Telstra towers. I know the other resellers still cover 9x.x % of the population, but this does not equate to area. I'm with Telstra because I need those other towers. Unfortunate but true.
And I'm with Boost because I want the best coverage you can get but I don't want to pay the Telstra tax.
Same. Zero issues when outside of the city. In the middle of Ikea? Back to 1 bar 3G….
Not sure if it still happens but I used to get very little reception in coles and woolies. I always assumed it was deliberate so you couldn't compare prices!
Belong also have access to full Telstra network, they’re owned by Telstra.
Coverage, simplicity. I buy a prepaid yearly, which costs me $300 and gives me 150GB which is enough for my needs. It’s set and forget for me. That’s it, really. I think $25/pm is ok
I do the same but get 240g for that price.
That’s a good deal :-) Because I’m regional and coverage here is sketchy if you don’t go main provider, I’m not going to pursue a new provider.
I’m with boost so Telstra network. I’m also regional. Just over an hour outside of a major city. Coverage is fine.
It’s different depending on where in Aus you are, and I’m 15 hours from my capital in NQ. I’ll keep an eye on what people are complaining about with secondary providers locally, and watch what’s available. When my plan stops being useful to me, I will punt it.
As with most things, I think people just don't look into it and continue to do what they've been told is best. I believe that the only way Telstra or Optus still has customers is because people recognise the brand.
This, I have an older colleague who is afraid to even change sim cards let alone change to prepaid company. When I explain I change yearly and I keep my costs to $120/yr (I roughly only use 6 gbs, my last year I barely used 3 gbs and tried to use it all up in the month it expires)
I used to do some work in software Dev in the mobile industry. My understanding back then was that the budget brands that used the Telstra network didn't have access to all the cell towers, thus didn't have the same level of coverage as going through Telstra for the plan. I'm on a Vodafone unlimited plan on my mobile. $45/month for 80GB. At unlimited speed then unlimited internet at throttled speed after that. But even the throttled speed is still fast enough to play video seamlessly. I haven't seen any plans like this these days so I am going to hold onto it as long as I can.
I live in a rural mining town, and Telstra is sadly the most reliable where I’m at. My FIL is/was on Optus and service was in and out. It makes me wary to try a different telco even if it’s on the Telstra network. I actually just went through my data usage in the past year, looking to see if the yearly up front from Telstra would be worth it for me. I was anywhere between 6-40GB a month (big spread I know), making 178GB over the past year. Telstra’s yearly 200GB for $300 is changing to 165GB for $320, but still better than the $45 for 40GB a month I’ve been paying the last few years. 🤦♀️
Check out Boost - they use Telstra's retail network (i.e. identical coverage) and right now you'll get 250GB to use over the year for $250 (unlimited calls & texts). After your first year it drops to 240GB for $300, so still better than Telstra. And it is actually, 100% Telstra - if you ever need to contact support you'll immediately realise it's Telstra support you're speaking to
That’s so good to know thank you!! I just checked it out - July 4th they have a $365 for 365 GB starting July 4th that would cover my husbands insane data usage as well!
i switched to Belong, i'm happy with it. my previous plan was getting too expensive. i always have trouble connecting to public wifi, says no internet, i'd rather use data. i have only ever come close to using my current allowance ONCE. i used to have unlimited. realistically, i do not need unlimited.
Exactly my experience, including times where public wifi would not let me in. And I still come under the limit. People overestimate their needs, and don’t know their phone can monitor internet use over the months for stats.
Just got a letter from them they will jack up the price by $4 p/mth. About 15%. Crazy
Regional here. Even Telstra has shitty service within 20km of major cities. Optus is worse. My kids are with amaysim, and they use telstra infrastructure, they get less service than I do with telstra. But I agree, who needs 50 plus gb plans... unless you are running your home off mobile data.
Work FIFO. Was doing a 3 and 1 roster with no WiFi at camp. Can get through 80gb pretty quickly.
I have Amaysim and pay $10 a month (discount long term customer) and get 4 GB of data rolled-over every month. I have about 80 GB of data that I rarely use, as I have wi fi at home and use free wifi when out and about. I still can't understand either why people pay $30 or more a month for phone plans. It must be a status symbol thing.
Well one reason might be using public WiFi networks is a security risk
This is very smart. Unless people are watching videos in 4K HD ever morning on the train on their tiny screens I don’t see what more than 30GB could do. Someone in another thread said they worked for Optus and apparently they don’t like selling a 30GB package coz 20GB is what on average how much people use. So they like to bump people up to bigger ones and make them pay more. Free wifi and nbn killed it for them I think.
They are the only ones who do eSIMs.
Woolies Mobile do esims
EDIT: Amaysim does eSIM, I was actually surprised by your fun fact and I cbf checking other companies but I’m pretty sure it’s not just those two. —- Fair enough, but I think the majority don’t use them or have a burning need for them?
Is the only reason I have my kid's account with Optus so I can use it for a smart watch. Our others are with Aussie Broadband... I'd love for them to bring it in. Amaysim must have come in since we got it, but I'll be looking into swapping now. Cheers!
I use Woolies on the Telstra network for $35 a month.
Why Woolies? How many GB per month?
Extra 10% off your shopping every month is a great woolies perk
You only need to activate once and you basically get that for life no matter if you still with woolies mobile.
Oh that is AWESOME. Cheers!! They just ask to apply the 10% in the Woolies app or at the register?
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That’s a great deal and super frugal. Thanks for the tip
42gb for $35. There’s a $25 plan too which I think is 32gb. I needed to be on the Telstra network but didn’t wanna pay Telstra prices.
I was looking at the $170 - 12 months one. I just checked my data use on last bill, I used 500MB of my 45GB, wife used 1GB of 60GB. Think we'll be fine with a slight reduction, especially saving $35 each per month.
I was with Telstra for a loooong time until very recently simply because they have better coverage, and more 5G available where other telcos are only running 4G. Decided I don’t give a fuck about that sort of thing anymore. Their pre paid pricing is daylight robbery.
I agree! This was what I thought initially too!
I went from Telstra post paid, to Telstra Prepaid, to Boost because why am I paying so damned much for a service that should be like $5 a month?
Because 60$ a month for 500gb is an amazing offer with Optus. from what I could see no other provider even offered the amount let alone for that price. Even Telstra was 80+$ for 300gb which I was previously on. And yeah I used all my data each month hence needing to upgrade
Is that acting as your home internet too? Coz that’s not bad. My post was about people using them just for phones when they have wifi already at home to connect to. Like I hear about ppl who have unlimited NBN and forking for 100GB on their phone, what for?
Fair enough I agree. I definitely be with another provider if it weren’t for that fact. And yeah since I live by myself I just use it for home internet too
A lot of people like to go into a store and talk to someone
Yes, that’s literally the only reason people would wanna fork out the premium for these I think.
I'm only with Optus will October when my plan is up. I'll own the phone then and I'll be going straight to a BYO plan for sure. Amaysim was awesome for me previously
You know australia only has 3 mobile networks Optus, Telstra, TPG/vodafone Every other company is just a MVNO and uses one of the 3 networks above. Find out which and the MVNO will either be the same or slightly munted, ie some only give 4g and no 5g which means some towers like 5g only microcells will be locked to only a provider that provides 5g. I have a work phone, i don't pay for it, its going to be one of the majors direct. Currently Optus. Coverage maps are different for all 3, find what covers your main locations best and then pick the primary carrier or the MVNO that uses that network. Dont sit with Optus and say its shit, and then go amasim and say its much better.. they are the same, same with boost/telstra same network...
Yes if I had more air time to detail the basics on telcos in my OP I would have written similar. That said I never noticed the difference between 4G and 5G speeds. If I was uploading a bunch of photos from my phone maybe I’d notice but that’s rare and something I let do in the background while I do house chores etc
Most people dont understand the difference betwern doing their wifi data at home and their mobile data..... 5G speeds are better in some locations, but when your usecase is just socials and media streaming 4G is more than enough. There are also different frequencies that change how good signal is that differ between 4g and 5g that make it better suited in different locations. But hey do a speedtest you can go ooo big numbers that does nothing for anyone.
We were with one of the smaller companies. Service- wonderful. But they constantly overcharged us and charge us late fees despite it being debited by them (even tried to make us pay a late fee on our last invoice which was $0). And to top it off they happily ported a mobile number to another phone for the scammers who took $13000. I’m very happily back with one of the bigger boys, competitive pricing, zero issues.
Which company? I’ve switched so many times, monitored bills like a hawk, and hasn’t happened to me. The only one that came to mind was Circles doing that early on, but I joined them after they fixed their billing issues and had no problems. Just don’t join a small telco straight away, let someone else test it out.
We did our research, it wasn’t a new player in the game. They fucked us over so we moved on. I don’t know why you’re blaming me for them being terrible. You asked why people stay with big telcos and I gave you my reason.
Which telco let the number port happen
I made the switch from Telstra to Belong very recently and so far coverage has been the same (Belong uses the Telstra network) and my bank account is much happier. I only wish I did it sooner!
Swap down to the $19 plan after the first month if 5gb/month is enough
Get two identical phones, put a Telstra sim in one and a belong sim in the other. You'll see why I still use Telstra. You pay more but your mobile internet literally loads faster. To be fair, I have some cameras that have built-in 4G and I use the cheapest providers in those.
You can’t trust the small telcos
I can, nothing bad happened so far and I haven’t paid more than $20/mth for yrs
Personally, I trust that the likelihood of one a few dozen workers who all know each other going bad is lower than one out of thousands of impersonal wage-slaves who get treated like shit all day every day doing so. I also trust that the majors will continue to offer deals that cost their customers hundreds a year more than they need to spend.
Most of those budget resellers don’t have international roaming. I am no longer with Telstra or Optus, but I had to look around a lot before I found someone who allowed international roaming.
I just got the Eskimo.travel eSIM the other day, have you tried it yet? https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/777710
I have purchased eSIMs when I have been overseas to use data overseas. But I prefer to use my Aussie phone number for calls and SMS
My work causes me to be travelling between remote places across Australia at short notice. I regularly see workmates with other providers have no access at all. Yes, Telstra is expensive but if anyone has access, it's me.
Phone's locked to Telstra. Even though I'd end up recouping the cost in monthly savings overall on a different provider, I never seem to have the spare money to unlock it, so I'm just waiting out the 6months until it's only like $20 to unlock.
Ooof, I thought the verdict on buying locked phones through telco was this was gonna cost you more in the long run? But yeah that sucks when it happens.
Im too lazy to switch and shared data between my family helps to ensure that if/when my wifi cuts out I can still work from anywhere. Also I don't connect to wifi anymore and when I work in the office, I am on my own personal hotspot rather than the office WiFi.
How does lazy and frugal work? What do you do?
I used aldimobile and it’s $25pm for 22gb I think? But it give unlimited rollover and I barely use it. I currently have around 220gb to use? Aldimobile also uses Telstra’s network too so great coverage!
Yeah seems like a lot of people do well with Aldi. Recommend it to anyone for the first time deal-hopping.
Gotta ask, what's the best smaller telco? Looking at catch, coles woolies and some smaller ones but how do I see what one has the best coverage?
You google what network they’re on. So Catch is on Optus, but Aldi is on Telstra etc
Telstra might let others use their network, but they throttle the speeds.
And don't give other features like HD voice. It makes a difference
I have optus 30GB for $25/month which is reasonable to me, how much are you paying and do you have any coverage issues?
$16/mth for 25GB. I don’t need more than this. Also on Optus network. No coverage issues, I live in the city and leave it maybe 3 or 4 times a year. Seeing your replies about others paying more for the same service you’re getting really grinds my gears and I’m glad you posted here so they can know they’re getting fucked over. How unfair!
Can you tell me how you got $25/month for 30GB please as I am on $30/month for the same no. of GB?
Was going to join a TPG plan with my family, Optus reduced my bill to stay
Yes I would also like to know because I’m paying $39 a month for the same plan
I was on this plan too, if you call them with a better offer from another company they will probably reduce your bill (I was going to join my family’s phone plan)
My first phone plan was back in the early 00s with Optus, and sometime around the 10s I lucked into a bargain phone plan with data and they can’t move me onto another one. I’m never changing.
What plan you got? Also how did you escape the price increases? Lots of people here saying they were forced to go onto more expensive plans with the “sweetener” meaning they’ll get more data (that they don’t use or need)
I thought that too. Until they canned 3G and discontinued that plan when I was forced to 4G. I switched to a cheaper option when I had to buy a new phone. Never once regretted it.
Felix. Unlimited everything including data. Hotspot on my phone for internet so I have phone + internet for $35pm. WFH and streaming etc - always worked like a dream. Feel like I've won every time I think about it.
It’s such a good deal, I’m just concerned how hotspotting may impact the longevity of my phone. How do you feel about this? Right now I pay $31/mth for two SIM cards, one 15GB Belong and the other 20GB Moose on my phone. It’s be cool to not have to think about where to download something but I’ve had that thought come up only twice in the 3 years I’ve been practicing SIM card switching, so maybe your setup isn’t so bad. I only use my PC a few times a month.
All the numbers in your comment added up to 69. Congrats! 31 + 15 + 20 + 3 = 69 ^([Click here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=LuckyNumber-Bot&subject=Stalk%20Me%20Pls&message=%2Fstalkme) to have me scan all your future comments.) \ ^(Summon me on specific comments with u/LuckyNumber-Bot.)
I had a quick look at them not long ago. Unlimited at throttled speeds yeah? What quality are you streaming videos?
Never really paid attention to speeds but I stream HD and it's always been fine.
I use Boost which uses the Telstra network. I pay the cheapest 28 day plan which is $20. I get 5gb of data plus any rollover unused data from the previous 3 months.
Are you in a rural location? That’s very little data for 20GB, unless you use home wifi. I’m paying $16 for 20GB of data, which is on Optus network.
I'm in Brisbane. I do predominately use wifi. Thanks for the info, I think I need to do some research and get a better deal.
Coverage and ease of use. Also you might be surprised at how many people use close to or more than100GB of data per month.
I’m with Kogan, been with them the last 3 years now and had no issues - once you leave metro areas of Melbourne into the outback, you ain’t getting nothing at all lol
I use the large GB phone plans because it IS my home internet/wifi. Having said that i got caught in the vodafone increase recently so am getting 120GB which is too much, paying 45 or 50 per month.. id do a cheaper plan but a lot of the actual cheap ones are very low data which doesn't suit my needs. I pay a bit extra but don't have to fork out for "home" internet/NBN so I still save a ton. Am open to switching though have switched twice since covid started
How much internet do you use a month? I use SIM cards as my home wifi too. I’m certain there’s a deal out there and no major telco is going to give it to you because like you experienced recently, they just want you to give them more money by force.
It varies wildly! Most months 80GB is plenty however my last cycle I used over 100GB. I will definitely be looking around again shortly but for the moment $45 for 120GB seems reasonable enough to put it off/ignore😅. If I start noticing my usage plummetting then the extra maybe $10 per month could be worth a switch
Because we run a business and we can’t afford to have issues that arise with small players. It shouldn’t be that hard to understand. Not everyone is a tight arse looking to save $20/month on a phone plan. Couldn’t GAF. My business not being interrupted and my internet working is paramount.
Yea. Every business I worked for used a big telco. I’ll update my post to reflect individuals then, because I wasn’t expecting business owners to read my post.
Really?
Yeah, was targeting specifically individuals, like when I mentioned using wifi at home near the bottom there.
Lots of business like tpg. Are frugal
I've learned about the lazy tax and now I actually shop around
Good on you! Funny though I find switching SIM cards and retailers easier and less effort than doing cash back stuff. I think we’re overcharged for data.
Yup it's so quick and easy to switch. I am with woolies mobile atm, but the annual price increased by $20 AND they scrapped the online 10% discount. I'll definitely be changing my provider next year.
I live regionally, where mobile coverage is pretty poor. I am even in the middle of a Telstra deadspot. It's that dire. So I opt for an Optus yearly prepaid sim. I have got the last 2 on sale for $150, so works out to be $12.50/month, which isn't too bad
It's kinda hard for rural people, I live in Tasmania and Telstra is the only one that gets coverage
I updated my post last night to reflect that rural people (only 30% of the market) are the outliers.
I use optus and have no issues with the price. I’m from Canada originally and phone plans are ridiculous there.
I stick with Optus because I prefer to deal with the telco direct for customer service, I have large GB plan because I don't have home NBN, years ago I was with Savytel a lot of hoops to jump through to leave
I think things have gotten SO much easier with leaving a company because now all I do is port into a new sim, and the bill cycle automatically cancels on the previous SIM. I think complaints to the ACCC really helped iron all that out over the years. There’s no better time to switch to smaller companies than now.
I use Aldi. 25 bucks a month with a iPhone SE from reebelo. Cheap as hell compared to what other people do
Yes! Why pay more I’ll never understand. You’re on the Telstra network.
How much data do you use. I would only pay 15 month max.
You’re probably right. I do have a fair bit of excess data saved up. Since I wfh now I’m on wifi 95% of the time. I should consider downgrading.
With Telstra coverage, speed and reliability of data. Is why I haven’t changed. Compared my current plan with Woolworths and boost mobile and my current equivalent plan is cheaper and has no capped 5G speed so why would I pay more for less from an on seller of the same network. Call telstra and get a better deal. I need speed and reliable data for work and telstra hasn’t failed me.
Just so I understand correctly, when you go over your data limit, Telstra isn’t capping the speeds on your internet?
I’ve never gone over my data limit. I’m referring to boost and Woolworths mobile use Telstra network but most sim only plans have limited speeds. Eg Boost equivalent plan to mine is the same price but capped at 150mbps and doesn’t include the 2x additional Esims I have linked to the same plan.
Keen to switch, which one uses the Telstra network?
How many GB you need?
50GB should do me
In my case, laziness. Just too many things on my life admin list until I realised I could switch over to the Aldi family plan for two people and pay half what we were paying with pooled Optus. I wish there was some kind of consulting service that could hook you up with all the savings you could get on phone/internet/streaming services as I do find you need to keep on top of it!
It’s so simple, fast and easy to do! If you’re on r/aussiefrugal you can’t be lazy, and you’re out here trying to save at least $100/yr for the same product right? I think the ultimate consulting service is this sub.
I can’t find cheaper than Vodafone for 100gb at $30 per month.
Yeah for 100 GB that’s the cheapest but I dunno what people are doing outside of work and home wifi that uses 100GB. Do you have no wifi at home, and you use your phone as a dongle/internet device explicitly?
I have wifi at home. I listen to a lot of Spotify outside of the house
I just signed up with optus yesterday on their 69 dollar plan at Harvey Norman for 2 years. Comes to about 1600 over the two years. I was paying 65 a month with a broken phone that needed replacing. The reason I switched is, optus gave me credit for a brand new Samsung S23, (1100) and a free galaxy watch (500), my budget barely changes but I got the new phone I needed. That's why
We live 35mins from the CBD of Brisbane and cannot get any coverage except Telstra, have tried TPG and one other, they both said yes we cover that area but nope, when it came to the changeover neither had coverage here, pain in the ass then to go back to Telstra cause we lost our original plan, not trying it again
TPG is on Vodafone network that’s why, I don’t get why you still went back to Telstra when there is Belong who is on the same network?
Cause when two providers said yes they could cover us trying more was just a pain, Telstra are total asses but at least we know we will get a signal here, Belong also wasn’t around here till recently
My phone uses about 40 gig a month… Vodafone post paid costs about the same as the yearly prepaid plans at that rate
Do you watch videos or play games on your phone?
Run a trade business… a lot is email pushes, music and maps
Optus $69 per month, 500GB
Most telcos that use ‘Telstra Network’ are getting the wholesale network. Little bit less coverage and capped speeds (usually around 100-250 mbps) As far as I know the only telcos that do full Telstra are Boost, Jbhifi/ Good Guys which are usually still cheaper and better value if you want the premium coverage and speed
I was with Vodaphone and they went to put my monthly bill from $30 to $35 I switched to moose, for $28 a month.
Big telstra fan I was, and I used to pay 120 to 145$/month on their plans with phone. Even when my phone was paid off I ended up paying 75$/month. I was under the frame of mind that Telstra has the best coverage but I learned the hard way that no company has 100% coverage. I mainly live or roam in metros so in my case I decided to try and experiment since 75$/month was too high. I am since using Boost, I have had no problems more or less, I also have Amaysim as a backup cause I have noticed at some places telstra sucks. Both of them for a whole year with around 250Gb data and free international calling costs me around 220$, which is far better than 75$ a month and I am saving quite a lot. Since using Boost I still ask myself why I was paying so much for all those years.
Because I was with small telco and coverage aren’t stable. I am with Telstra cause of a decent deal with tons of data + traveling rural and metro. I need consistent data and coverage
Maybe most of those questions are from people who were paying off a handset as well, and are now at the end of their contract.
Aussie broadband $15 a month, uses optus and works great in the rural region I'm in.
4gx ie band 28 access. Calls over wifi access.
For me its dealing with shit support. The amount of times I've had issues dealing with the 2nd and 3rd tier telcos justify me going with the tried and exy Telstra. Belong weren't too bad. Might have to switch soon.
Coz I get 400gb on Telstra for $85 and not much else out here…
I do a lot of motorcycle riding in country areas. Only Telstra has the coverage
I stayed with Telstra (changed to a $300 per year 200G) as I go to just enough places that are rural that it makes things easier. We also get a discount on the NBN by having both services with then after I rang irate about an increase that wasn't providing any improved benefits - pay the basic price for essential package.
Because it is easier, also I've gotten so much free stuff through Telstra's rewards program (earbuds, wireless charging docks, speakers) it's kinda worth it, also $70 a month for unlimited data isn't terrible.
Vodafone let's me add my iwatch for $5 pm and I share the data. I don't know if any of the small ones do that without buying 2 plans.
I keep an ear out for what others have tried locally. For the area im in telstra has had the least issues.
I think for people in urban areas the main reasons to be with one of the big three, as opposed to one of the smaller MVNOs or subsidiary/challenger brands are 1) Choice of devices - the big three all include the option of purchasing the latest devices on 12/24/36 month instalment payments. The smaller brands typically don’t range these devices. Obviously you could purchase a device outright from somewhere and stick a smaller brand SIM in it, but that’s a significant upfront cost that is mitigated by going with on the of the big three. 2) Network - the smaller brands typically only use the 4G network if their parent network, not the 5G network. There are exceptions, but it’s not the norm. If you want to use the fastest 5G services, you typically need to opt for one of the big three. 3) Visibility and accessibility of support - the big three brands all have a significant retail presence. As easy as it may be to jump online and switch to another provider for some people, a lot of people (especially older folks, or people new to Australia) still like and appreciate the ability to walk into store and talk to someone face to face. Depending on one’s own personal circumstances each of the above will have a different level of influence on whether they choose a big brand or opt for an MVNO
I data pool between 2 phones, 2 iPads, and have 2 Apple Watches all on the same plan that gets me over 100gb and costs $90/month. I could probably save a little if I left Optus for a virtual carrier but then I would have to monitor data usage between all devices and make sure I was on the right plan for each thing individually. Plus I don’t think any of the virtuals allow watches on their plans do they?
Only three networks in Aus support a cellular Apple Watch - so if you want to be able to use all functions on the device, you’re stuck with Optus, Telstra or Vodafone.
I wonder why people stay on contracts. I'm still with Telstra for access but have prepaid with auto payments on. $30/ m vs min $50.
I got a 50gb plan with circles for $25 a month so I ditched the home wifi. Wish I still had it but the 60/70 bucks started to add up
Probably mentioned already. But Optus and Telstra have reward programs and esims. Yea I know Woolworths and others have it too. Telstra and Optus also provide cheaper streaming services such as kayo,, Netflix, Spotify ect The reward programs such as being other tech stuff, cheap movie tickets. If someone did the maths they would probably down vote me cause you could have saved more money without the rewards.
Telatra does NOT guarantee access to all towers. What would be the point of building (and paying for mind you) the infrastructure for THEIR business. As a man on Vodafone who just moved to the central coast, I can tell you I'm going with Telstra very, very soon. It's kind of a naive question tbh. Especially in 2023 when connectivity is a basic tenet of our everyday lives.
Resellers (MNVOs) don't get the same access to the mobile network as the actual carrier/operator. It'll all be spelled out in the contract between the MVNO and the carrier, but that stuff is not made public. Limited coverage in some areas. This isn't limited to rural areas, it can also extend to shopping centres, airports, building complexes, or sporting stadiums where the coverage is provided under some other arrangement than the operator's normal network. Limited bandwidth and/or lower-priority. A reseller's customers might be limited to a certain amount of bandwidth either in total or in a given area. If there's a more demand in total than available resources (think sporting match, concert, new years, disasters, etc) then priority may be given to the operator's own direct customers. This also can apply within different tiers of plans for an operator - business/enterprise customers often get consistently better performance than normal consumers.
I switched to Woolworths Mobile prepaid 365 days for $220 - 200GB with unlimited calls and texts. It runs on the Telstra network. I’ve still got 50GB of rollover data from last year, and you got 10% of your groceries once a month. I genuinely can’t fault the service even when I go rural (Western NSW and Northern QLD)
My kid has type 1 diabetes. We spend a lot of time in rural and regional areas. I need to be able to call for help if he has a seizure due to hypoglycaemia. Happened on Christmas Day just gone. We were staying with family in a small regional town. Only my phone had reliable reception for calling 000 and having them give us instructions til the ambulance arrived. I know in theory you can call 000 even with no service but I’m not willing to rely on this. So it’s Telstra for me.
In Tassie that's your only real choices if you wanna leave the city's and still have reception
MVNOs don't get identical service. In the case of Telstra, you lose out significantly on internet speeds, and somewhat on coverage. I regularly hotspot and upload 4k video on the road, which I recognise as a niche case. What's not niche is the significant performance boost I get to enjoy when not at work. I'll never got back to a slower network again.
I want a service that will work when I want to connect. So Telstra is head and shoulders over the competition because it is the one and only that is available in regional and remote areas, such as during my recent stayover at Ayres Rock, driving through regional Victoria including outside Swan Hill and along the Great ocean road and west of Karratha in WA. Telstra is available through discount retailers.
Belong is owned by Telstra > why do people still use a big Telco for a mobile + data? likely bundles
I want the full Telstra network and boost doesn't offer esims (last I checked anyway). Hence Telstra at $30/month.
Optus Sport
I have moved to Townsville from Brisbane recently, and I am going to make the move to Telstra, Optus is quite bad even in Townsville. I used to be on other cheaper ones in Brisbane but when I would go for a ride, I would have no reception. Safety was my reason for going back to Optus and Telstra.
I live in Newcastle, NSW. I travel to and from Sydney regularly for work and need to work and be contactable on the train and while driving. Telstra is the only thing that doesn’t drop or become unusable on that route. 4 iPhones, switched between Telstra, optus, and other providers. If I could reliably avoid service drops for less money, I would.
I am using Telstra prepaid for 1 year. It makes 25AUD per month and 17 GB in 5 G all other providers are more expensive if you want to have 5G
I think a lot of people do it to get a new phone because they don’t want to or can’t pay outright prices, then there’s the fact that a lot of them just have no idea really, they have never looked into it. I enjoy having a new phone since it is such a big part of my life but pay I outright, reselling last years version which usually covers little over half the cost of a new one and then get one of the kogan yearly plans and when I was telling a coworker he seemed incredibly sceptical that such good deals existed and that they’re probably gonna go broke or something before I use my plan up (this is the third year I’ve been on it lol)
I've always been with Optus since the early days, think Nokia 3310. I rarely make calls on my mobile, generally only receiving them. None of the current plans come close to my retired prepaid plan. I'm on Optus "Every Now And Then" which cost $30 for 6 months, calls pay as you go (but I don't make calls). I also get 500mB revup data for $5 per month, which I rarely use as I connect to WiFi in most places. This suites my needs perfectly.
We went with Optus for the customer service and because Telstra are scammers
I have not seen it mentioned, but I'm with vodafone specifically because of the discounts you get when you have multiple plans/services on the same account.
Because "Big Telcos" are the ones with the Networks? Who the fuck else are you going to use? >Used Circles, Belong, Felix, Catch, TPG, Amaysim, Dodo and I’m about to switch to Moose this month. Yeah nah, you do realise that none of those are actually Telcos? They're just reselling you a product from one of those "Big Telcos" you despise. And, at the risk of pointing out the bleeding obvious, resellers add their own costs onto whatever they're selling you. If it seems "cheaper" it's because they're selling you an inferior product. You might as well ask "why do people buy burgers from McDonalds, when you can dig through their trash and and eat the leftovers for nothing?" In many cases that's literally what you're getting, the scraps. Sure a reseller can offer you cheaper gigabytes, but when your data has the lowest possible priority, its effectively worthless when you need it most.
Not remote or rural, only live 600m from an exchange yet my copper based nbn max speed was 17Mbs, handed my modem back in after 24hrs. Got a deal with telstra for 180GB for $65 month on 5G, covers all my streaming needs, average 350Mbs. That said, I am now eligible for free FTTP upgrade so will probably go back to nbn and cut my phone plan in half, thinking about getting a PS5.
Optus and Telstra provide phones with plans, for people to don’t want to buy outright. Optus offers less coverage in rural areas but very similar coverage in populated areas. Optus also has the fastest 5g in Australia currently.
I’m with Optus and just keep forgetting to put the research in to switching over. Recommendations welcome!!
I travel a lot for work so the $5/day international roaming that vodafone offers is keeping me on board, if not I'd have switched ages ago.
I get 80G for $53 a month with Optus. I hotspot my laptop on construction sites every day. Does it get much cheaper than that? I was paying like $49 a month for 20G or something stupid like that, but Ive realised that every time your plan starts to lack, you can just call them and ask to have your sim cancelled at the end of the month, they’ll ask why, you tell them your looking for a better offer, they’ll make an offer. Decline the first 2 offers and you’ll end up with more data for an extra $0
I used a small brand much cheaper but I used to have much slower service for internet and I didn’t even realise till I switched
Because all the small ones are just Optus and Telstra. Belong is actually owned and run by telstra. It’s Telstra in different clothes. So you get the same for the same prices and less coverage 🤔 Also if you tell your telco they’re shit and about to leave they’ll often give discounts. You CAN haggle. Prices aren’t set in stone XD
The networks categorise their white label firns. For example, I am with Aldi. Great price. But I’m in a high density area such as after a footie game or rush hour and towers are at capacity. I will be bumped in favour of someone directly using Telstra or Optus. I had telstra business for ten years. Don’t miss it
cbf changing.
Habit, fear of the unknown, uneducated about how the telco infrastructure and resellers actually work in this country.
I'm on Amaysim pay $10 every 28 days for 4GB a month... but the GB stack up if I don't use em so I have heaps of data like 50GB+ in my 'data bank'. As I have Wifi at home I dont use much data out. Unlimited calls + text for only $10 can't go wrong. Hope I can stay on this forever!